Obituary of Natalie Ann MacLean

Natalie MacLean, beloved wife of James Gordon Ironside of Calgary, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 24, 2007 at the age of 56 years. Natalie was born and raised in Sydney, NS. After graduating from St. Frances Xavier with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and Memorial University with a Bachelor of Education Degree, she moved west to teach in the 1970’s. She distinguished herself in her career as a business woman, powerful communicator, and writer. She began her professional life in Calgary at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and then completed an MBA at the University of Calgary. Natalie was the driving force in a successful marketing firm, served as a member of the University of Calgary Senate, wrote a weekly column for the Calgary Herald, and initiated many fund-raising drives for charitable and educational organizations, including the University of Calgary, the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre and L’Arche. Her compassion and love was expressed by her total devotion and advocacy for her nephew Michael who suffered with a terminal illness. Her passion for life included writing, kayaking, yoga, and fishing with her husband. She also loved sharing her Ukrainian heritage food at family gatherings. She was a long-term life partner of James Gordon Ironside whom she married in June 2007. Natalie is survived by her mother Catherine (Kaye) Dilney of Sydney, NS; her brother and sister-in-law John and Shelagh Dilney of Calgary; two sisters, Tammy Dilney and Maxine Dilney, both of Sydney, NS; Gordon’s children, Jeanne Ironside of Nanaimo, BC, Charmaine Ironside, and David Ironside, both of Calgary. She was predeceased by her father John Max Dilney in 1992; and her nephew Michael Dilney in 2000. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church (1600 Acadia Drive S.E.) on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to L’Arche Association of Calgary, 307 – 57 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2T6 Telephone: (403) 571-0155, ext 30. In living memory of Natalie MacLean, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.